Confucian Diplomatic Thought And Its Modern Significance

Normal existence and development between different countries and nations need communication wisdom and common sense. Confucianism provides the source of wisdom of just this kind. Exploring Confucianism to observe and study "international relations" has the very good enlightenment. Confucianism contains rich international political and diplomatic thoughts. Confucianism takes morality, etiquette and reputation as a starting point, discusses the relationship between the moral, etiquette, reputation and the authority of the state, the international cooperation and international peace, and forms the Confucian theory of international relations. The Confucian theory of international relations has the characteristics of internal-external contacts, moral-supreme and pacifism. Confucianism is the diplomatic standards of the peaceful settlement of international disputes, the goal of lasting peace, the diplomacy strategy of peaceful development and the diplomatic ideal of the harmonious world. The study of Confucian diplomatic thought is helpful to the construction and development of the new theory of international relations.First of all, with the three representatives, Confucius, Mencius and Xunzi, of pre-Qin period as focus, the basic content of Confucian diplomatic thought is studied. On this basis, the historical facts of diplomatic development from Qin and Han dynasties to modern China are reviewed and analyzed. It exposes the close relationship between Confucianism and China diplomacy. It is believed that "Harmony is the most" and "Living in harmony with all others far and near" become the basic idea of Confucian diplomatic thought of friendship and harmony. Its basic spirit of advocating peace and against war is very beneficial to the formation of good-neighborly and friendly international relations. The Confucian sprit of "benevolence", "upholding the mean and advocating harmony", "harmony", "living in harmony with all others far and near" and "harmony but not sameness" support the coexistence of civilizations. The factors of "forgiveness", "reflective introspection", "Don’t impose what you don’t want on others", "wishing oneself to be established, sees that others are established, and, wishing oneself to be successful, sees that others are successful" are conducive to break the feud between nations to reach a mutual understanding. The ideas of "kingly way", "Great Harmony", "self-cultivating, family-regulating, state-ordering, then the land great governed" have a strong cosmopolitanism meaning.Confucian thought of harmony has not only a profound influence on the development of diplomatic relations in ancient China, but also a well demonstration of Confucianism in. diplomatic policy and thought of modern China. In ancient China, the realization Qf harmony spirit between regions jointly pursued by Confucianism plays a part in the integration of the thought of the minor ethics and a solid contribution of a system of Vassal state. Confucian diplomatic thought of Doctrine of the Mean is realized in China’s way of handling various affairs, i.e., being good at modest moderation, order and balance, never going radically and extremely, to make a jointly-pursued regional harmony. At the same time, diplomatic thought of Confucian has a positive role to civilize the nearby miner ethnics and nations that has a backward civilization. Advanced civilization has always affected the development of backward one by various modes. Analyzing this way with Marx’s theory of double mission, we can find that construction effect is bigger than destruction effect. It plays a great function in integrating various ideas. Therefore, Confucian diplomatic thought would still continue to develop, even with the alterations of dynasties, especially the minority’s establishment of regime in central China land. The reason for which is closely connected to cultural influence of the Confucian. This is very rare in worldwide history. From this, the significant directive role of Confucian culture can be seen clearly. Meanwhile, as a cultural bond retaining the stability of Vassal states, Confucian culture lays a foundation in its setting root in east Asia, and provides a way for the arise of consciousness and construction of regional integration, to maintain the phase of comparative peace and stability among countries in east Asia.Even in modern China, Confucian diplomatic thought still plays an important role in the making of Chinese diplomatic policy. China sticks to the peace route and promises not to seek hegemony neither now nor in the future when developed. China constantly pursues the peace diplomacy independently and freely, sticks to develop the harmonious friendship with all the nations and states, based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Since the beginning of 21st century, China pursues the thought of all-directions diplomacy, puts up the proposition of handling well relation with the big countries and cementing and strengthening the unity and cooperation with the developing countries, and extends multilateral diplomacy and the policy of creating an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood. This thought has fully reflected the harmonious world outlook of Confucius of 2000 years ago. We can conclude that China has continued the positive image of a big responsible country, which provides a powerful guarantee for the world’s peaceful development and progress, and represents a positive signal for countries that care about peaceful development of all nations in the world.From the analysis above, the important influence of Confucian diplomatic thought on Chinese diplomatic policy and guidance can be easily seen. At last, on this foundation, the development of diplomatic relation between South Korea and China will be analyzed and reviewed from the perspective of Confucian diplomatic thought. Under the same influence of the Confucian culture, naturedly, the expansion of the diplomatic relationship between South Korea and China is in deep brand of Confucian. In 1992, the official construction of diplomatic relationship between South Korea and China is a decisive and significant event for the peace, stability and development in east and north Asia after the cold war between east and west. South Korea and China has been in diplomatic relationship for over 20 years and the relation between two countries has made progress by leaps and bounds, which is rare to see in the history of international relations. What is the reason? The answer is worthy of our reflection and consideration. South Korea and China are on two sides of an ocean and near to each other. That is a good geographic condition. Since ancient times, the two sides have started frequent and close exchange activity. They belong to the shared cultural circle and have interconnected ethic values, which is a profitable historical, social cultural background. As a result, they must build a better national tie and boost cooperation to realize win-win situation. For the factors above, the bilateral relationship has developed smoothly and rapidly since the found of diplomatic bond. Though there were disagreement and dispute during the period, the two sides start from general situation, maintain and promote the bilateral relationship to move forward, by the way of seeking common points while reserving differences, resolving contradictions and suspending disputes to achieve mutual understanding.